Morning journal and courier., 1887-01-12
LYMAN BEECHER LECTURES.

The Relation of the Church and Min
Istry to Socialfsm-The Christfaniza-
tioa of Socfety-An Admirable Adj
dress by hev. Washington GLADDEN..
ID. D., at Marquand Chapel.
Rev. Washington GLADDEN., D. D., of Co.
1umbus, Ohio, began the series of lectures in
the Lyman Beecher course yesterday after
noon in the Marquand chapel. The chapel
was filled with students of the seminary and
many ladies and clergymen of the city. The
general subject of the course is "The Rela-
ton of the Church and Ministry to Social
ISM" Mr.. GLADDEN. yesterday gave an in
troductory lecture to the industrial question,
the special subject being s'What is implied
in the Christianization of Society" The
clergy are studying the social questions of
the day as thoroughly as any class of men
and are meeting with the best results in their
influence upon men. Christianity has a two
fold end-the perfect man in perfect socie-
ty. These are together and cannot be sep
arated. Each man is a member OF the social
organization and the society becomes per
feet only as its individuals become so. Ou1
Lords gospel preached "Repent for the
kingdom of heaven is at hand" 1t was 8
commandment of promise and God never
calls men to a new life without surround,
ing them with conditions suitable
to that new life. The regeneration
of individuals and of society are
coordinate interests, and the individual is
not to be exalted at the undertaking OF
social forces. We cannot say repent I'M
less we can truly say ''the kingdom of heaven
is at hand"
The Characterization of society involves
the Christianizing Of existing social senti-
ments The best society differs from the
worst in practices, institutions and laws, but
more deeply IN its sentiments. The work,
then, is to propagate those sentiments which
are Christian and to extirpate those which
are not Test social theories by the law of
heaven Disorders have their root in bad
philosophy. Christianity strikes at the root,
and in purifying the philosophy removes the
disorders. Social theories reduced to prac-
tice are customs. To every institution the
great law giver gives law, yet every one
needs to be Christianized. The church
everywhere needs TO Christianize itself and
do mission work within its own four walls
It must apply to itself the standard of
Christ's law. The State is supreme,
above all social institutions. Its bust
ness is to declare and maintain the
righteousness of God The State is to
nation of the spiritual power in the hearts
and lives of the people. Pour steady
stream into politics, for the kingdom of God
will never come where the government is
corrupt and party spirit is the chief ruling
power.
The speaker then proceeded to set forth
the theories advanced in this subject. In
conclusion he said: Our vision needs train
ing. The power of discernment is needed
most. The kingdom of heaven is near at
hand, not far off. In industrial enterprises
and commercial changes, the kingdom of
God meets its greatest foes. We must re-
member the words of our Master: 81 came
not to bring peace, but sword" The
kingdom of heaven is like leaven; it pro-
duces a fermentation in society.
Mr.. GLADDEN. is speaker of great force,
and is SURPRISING in his analysis and devel-
opment of the subject upon which he speaks.
The Introductory lecture will be followed by
others upon the philosophy underlying the
Characterization of society; property in
land and the rights and duties connected
with land in general; the instruction of Ia
Dor and socialism. The next lecture will be
given tomorrow afternoon at three o'clock.